Researchers from the Natural History Museum of Denmark have named a newly identified genus of beetles after Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist of the popular Japanese manga and anime series One Piece.
The new genus, Luffy, includes two species discovered in China and Laos. The findings were published in the scientific journal ZooKeys by researchers Fang-Shuo Hu and Alexey Solodovnikov.
The name was inspired by the insects’ unusually long antennae, mandibles and maxillary palps. According to the researchers, these elongated features resemble Luffy’s signature ability to stretch different parts of his body.
One of the two species, Luffy schillhammeri, was found in Yunnan province in China. The species name honours Austrian entomologist Harald Schillhammer for his contributions to beetle research.
The second species, Luffy nika, was discovered in Louang Namtha in northern Laos. Its name refers to Luffy’s “Gear 5” transformation, also known as Nika, which is characterised by white hair and clothing. Researchers said the beetle’s white hairs covering its body and wing cases reminded them of the character’s appearance.
The new genus emerged after the Danish researchers carried out a systematic review of the Ocypus group of beetles. They concluded that the two Asian species did not belong to any existing genus and instead represented a distinct evolutionary lineage.
Beyond the nod to popular culture, the name also reflects the insects’ unique morphology. The researchers said the combination of elongated features and other anatomical traits distinguishes Luffy from its closest relatives, making it worthy of classification as a new genus.
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